Jockey Junior Alvarado could have mentioned it finest after Sovereignty stormed to victory within the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.
“That is the horse of a lifetime,’’ he mentioned after Sovereignty overpowered 4 rivals in a 10-length tour de power efficiency in one of many quickest instances within the storied historical past of the Travers.
As soon as Alvarado tipped Sovereignty to the skin on the quarter pole, the celebrity colt powered previous 17-1 longshot Bracket Buster and prolonged his lead with each stride within the stretch.
“Our horse simply proved how good he was when he pulled away the final eighth of a mile,’’ Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott mentioned. “He’s fairly particular.”
Sure he’s! Sovereignty grew to become the primary horse to win the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers since Thunder Gulch in 1995. Owned by Godolphin, Sovereignty has now gained 4 in a row and improved his earnings to greater than $5.8 million. The Into Mischief colt additionally grew to become the primary horse to win the Derby, Belmont, Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), and Travers.
The margin of victory matches the fourth largest in Travers historical past and the profitable time of two:00.84 for 1 ¼ miles is the sixth-fastest within the 156-year historical past of the race.
The most important margin of victory is 22 lengths by Damascus in 1967; the quickest time is 1:59.36 by Arrogate in 2016.
Travers Stakes Betting: How the Race Unfolded
With the smallest Travers subject since Holy Bull beat 4 rivals in 1994, Sovereignty ($2.60) was despatched off because the 3-10 favourite from put up 4.
Magnitude sprinted out to seize the early lead with Bracket Buster in scorching pursuit. Approaching the primary flip, Sovereignty and Alvarado discovered themselves between horses in final, however a closeup final, as the sector ran the primary quarter in a reasonable 23.47 seconds. Taking place the bottom, Alvarado moved Sovereignty to the skin and he edged nearer to the leaders.
Bracket Buster took a short lead approaching the quarter pole, however Sovereignty ranged up alongside on the prime of stretch and matched strides till Alvarado turned him lose with an eighth-of-mile to go and it was throughout.
What’s Subsequent for Sovereignty?
Requested if he was on the lookout for greater and higher issues forward for his newest star, Mott replied: “I don’t know the way it will get a lot greater than this … however there’s the Breeders’ Cup on the finish of the yr, so we’ll have to think about that.’’
Travers Stakes Milestone for Mott, Alvarado
For Mott, who has skilled a few of racing’s largest stars – Cigar and Cody’s Want amongst them – this was his first Travers win. It was additionally Alvarado’s first Travers win.
“It is one thing I have been ready on. I had two or three races on my bucket record, and one was the Met Mile which we received that performed with Cody’s Want and the one which was left was the Travers. Now, the one factor to do is to attempt to come again and repeat. These are among the most essential races.
“For me, racing primarily in New York now, the Kentucky Derby was nice, however I need to say, for me, I believe the Travers is a good race to win. It’s totally satisfying and gratifying to get that performed.”
Alvarado, who additionally rode Cody’s Want, mentioned: “That is my first Travers. To the Godolphin individuals, thanks. He was wonderful as we speak. He confirmed one thing possibly a bit of completely different. We received sort of boxed in a bit of bit between horses. I simply didn’t wish to go vast within the first flip. He handles the whole lot I strive with him. He simply does it so professionally with no hesitation.”
Travers Stakes Order of End
Magnitude was one other 10 ¾ lengths behind Bracket Buster in third, with McAfee 34 ½ lengths again in fourth, and Strategic Focus was eased within the last furlong.
Travers Day Undercard Outcomes
Private Ensign Stakes: Champion Thorpedo Anna Nips Dorth Vader
Odds-on favourite Thorpedo Anna out-dueled 11-1 longshot Dorth Vader within the stretch and gained by a nostril, incomes a fees-paid berth within the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), the race she gained final yr to clinch Horse of the 12 months honors.
The victory within the $500,000 Private Ensign got here in Thorpedo Anna’s return to the races in Saratoga a yr and a day after she took on the boys and was crushed a nostril by Fierceness within the Travers Stakes (G1).
“She confirmed the center of a champion down the lane to carry Dorth Vader off and be capable to get her nostril down on the wire. It’s why she’s Horse of the 12 months,’’ profitable jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., mentioned.
Skilled by Kenny McPeek, 4-5 favourite Thorpedo Anna ($3.50) gained for the fourth time in 5 begins in her 4-year-old marketing campaign, with earlier wins within the Azeri Stakes (G2) and the Apple Blossom (G1), adopted by an sudden seventh within the La Troienne Stakes (G1) and one other win within the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2).
Successful time for the 1 1/8 miles awas 1:49.18.
McPeek mentioned he’d nominate Thorpedo Anna to the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 5 and the Delaware Handicap (G3) at Delaware Park on Sept. 28 in opposition to the boys. As for a run within the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) slightly than the BC Distaff, the coach mentioned: “We’re not going to fret about it now,’’ mentioned McPeek.
Forego Stakes Outcomes: Ebook’em Danno Sweeps Spa Sprints
Ebook’em Danno ($3.60) made a clear sweep of the sprints at Saratoga, capping it with a one-length victory over Scotland within the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) and incomes a fees-paid, computerized berth within the Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile (G1).
The 4-year-old New Jersey bred gelding was bumped and stumbled a bit at first, recovered properly alongside the backstretch, took command a furlong out and fended off a closing Scotland.
Ebook’em Danno gained the True North Stakes (G2) and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2) earlier on the Saratoga meet.
“As soon as I’d seen him fairly shut turning for residence, I knew he’d have his kick. He (jockey Paco Lopez) simply will get together with him. He will get within the place I need him in on a regular basis.”
Ballerina Stakes Outcomes: Hope Highway Offers Baffert a Filly For Breeders’ Cup
Hope Highway, ridden by Jose Ortiz for the primary time, could have been powerful to load into the gate, however got here by means of with a two-length victory over Scylla within the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (G1) to earn a fees-paid computerized berth within the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Dash (G1).
Skilled by Corridor of Famer Bob Baffert, the 4-year-old filly took the lead within the stretch and held on because the 2-1 favourite, returning $6.10 for the win and protecting the 7 furlongs in 1:21.93. Hope Highway’s dam, Marley’s Freedom, captured the Ballerina stakes herself in 2018.
“She ran very well. She ran how we had been anticipating her to run,’’ Baffert’s longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes mentioned. “She jumped out of there nicely. She received in an excellent place, and he or she got here operating when she wanted to, so we’re very joyful together with her efficiency.”
H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Outcomes: Patch Adams Noses Out Captain Cook dinner
Patch Adams ($7) was moved to the rail by jockey Luis Saez and edged a decided Captain Cook dinner – at 20-1 the longest shot within the subject – by a nostril within the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
The 5-2 favourite skilled by Brad Cox defeated a subject of sprinters, together with a trio skilled by Baffert – Barnes (third), Madaket Highway (fifth), and Midland Cash (sixth). Additionally within the subject was Chancer McPatrick (fourth).
Successful time for the 7 furlongs was 1:21.61.
